Keyframe Animation in CSS | Thorough Guide with Examples

Keyframes in video editing serve as anchor points, determining when animations or functions should start and stop, acting as cues in a movie, and directing specific actions. They enable dynamic adjustments like rotation, position changes, opacity adjustment, and scaling within a video clip. Incorporating these animations on your website or app can significantly enhance the user experience by spotlighting crucial software elements.

And when you mix in some CSS magic, things go to the next level. However, understanding the CSS language to create keyframe animations can be tricky. Don't worry if CSS seems like a foreign language; we're here to guide you.

This article will delve into the world of keyframe animations in CSS and why they matter. We’ll provide you with CSS keyframe animation examples for better understanding. Additionally, we'll demonstrate an easy approach using the CapCut video editor to make your animations stand out.

Everything you need to know about keyframe animation in CSS

What is keyframe animation in CSS?

CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheet. Keyframe animation in CSS is a method that brings web elements to life by defining specific moments, or keyframes, during an animation. It allows developers to describe the style and properties of an element at different stages of the animation, and the browser smoothly transitions between these keyframes to create a visually appealing effect.

For example, imagine a simple CSS animation where a button changes color from blue to green and grows in size. You can set keyframes at 0%, 50%, and 100%, specifying the button's appearance at each stage.

The browser then animates the transition, giving your website a dynamic and engaging touch. This technique enhances the user experience and adds interactivity to web pages with relatively straightforward coding.

Common animated keyframes in CSS

• Multi-step animation

Multi-step animations involve defining keyframes at different points in time to create a sequence of distinct movements or changes. This ensures more complex and nuanced animations, where elements can follow a predefined path or transition through various states, adding depth and sophistication to the overall design.

• Alternation animation

Alternation animations involve transitioning between two or more states cyclically. This type of animation helps create visual interest, especially when you want elements to toggle between different appearances or states continuously, providing a dynamic and engaging experience.

• Looped animation

Looped animations run continuously, creating a perpetual motion effect. This type of animation is ideal for elements that need to maintain movement or visual interest without interruption. Depending on the design intent, looped animations can be subtle or more pronounced.

How to dynamically create '@-Keyframe' CSS animations?

In CSS keyframe animation, the core concept involves smoothly transitioning between distinct CSS states or segments. Here is how to animate CSS keyframes

Syntax

The syntax is the root of the CSS page, so these do not have any selectors.

@keyframes [name]{

from{

[styles];

}

to{

[styles];

}

• The [name] represents the animation's name, which can be customized.
• The [styles] value specifies the CSS style properties for the animation.

Look at the example below:



Keyframe timing function

The timing function influences the animation rate. Common values include:

• Linear: A constant transition from start to end.
• Ease: Gradual start, acceleration, and then gradual slowdown.
• Ease-in: Similar to ease, but with a quicker ending.
• Ease-out: Similar to ease, starting with a faster pace.

Look at the example:



You can make more changes to the animation according to your needs, such as opacity and position adjustment, slide or drop, and others.

Why do you need to add keyframe animation in videos?

• Provide precise element control

Filmmakers use keyframe animation to meticulously control character movements, facial expressions, and lighting changes. This precision ensures that each visual element aligns seamlessly with the narrative, elevating the overall storytelling quality.

• Add professionalism

Keyframe-animated logos, charts, and corporate video or presentation graphics contribute to a polished and sophisticated brand image. This not only enhances a professional touch but also facilitates the communication of intricate information in a visually appealing and polished manner.

• Create dynamic transitions

Beyond travel vlogs, keyframe animation plays a crucial role in creating dynamic transitions between various scenes or shots. This technique is valuable in narrative-driven content, where smooth transitions maintain viewer engagement and contribute to a cohesive storyline.

• Highlight specific actions

Tutorial creators leverage keyframe animation to highlight specific actions or essential steps. Whether zooming in on details or guiding attention through animated effects, this approach ensures that tutorials are informative and attractive to the audience.

Explore the easy way to add keyframe animation: Use CapCut video editor

keyframe animation in CSS promises stunning results, but navigating the complexities of the CSS language poses challenges for many editors. So, go for the CapCut video editor for keyframe animation, equipped with a user-friendly interface. This platform has features essential for elevating your animations to a professional level. Here are some key features offered by this video editor.



• Free to use

For video enthusiasts limited by budget constraints, the CapCut video editor emerges as the perfect solution. It has a comprehensive set of basic and advanced features essential for professional video editing without costing a penny. Moreover, this editor's web version liberates you from installing it on your device, providing flexibility and accessibility wherever you go.

• Easily achieve slow motion

You've created a product promotional video where showcasing every detail in slow motion is crucial. With the CapCut video editor, slowing the video speed is a breeze without compromising its quality. With this editor, you can easily edit a video to slow motion. Moreover, its speed ramping feature lets you control the pace precisely, slowing down or speeding up specific parts of the video as needed.

• Rich material library

Suppose you create a travel vlog that undergoes editing before uploading, including adding sound effects, a music track, and creating a thumbnail. In such cases, you seek a platform where you can easily explore and edit music, photos, sound effects, and more. CapCut, the video editor, boasts a rich material library, letting users explore and edit within a single platform, eliminating the need to navigate through Google and other external platforms.

• Basic and advanced editing tools

CapCut's video editor offers a comprehensive array of basic and advanced editing tools, designed to elevate your video creation experience. Beyond fundamental functions such as cutting, trimming, and splitting, this versatile platform empowers users with advanced features like chroma keying, background removal, and precise audio transcription. Whether you're a teacher crafting engaging tutorials or a content creator striving for uniqueness, CapCut provides a rich set of tools to cater to your diverse video editing needs.

How to add keyframe animation with CapCut？

Here's how you can add keyframe animation with CapCut:

Step
1. Download and sign up
2. Visit CapCut's official website and download the CapCut video editor on your device. Sign in after installation, use your TikTok, Facebook or Google account. Then click on New Project, and you can edit your video now!
3. 

   Download for free

   

   
   
4. 

   

Step
5. Upload video
6. Click "Create project" and select "Import" from the media tab. Upload the video from your device and drag and drop it into the timeline.
7. 

   

Step
8. Add keyframe animation
9. Click the video in the timeline and move to the "Basic" option. There, you’ll see different animation options such as "Opacity", "Scale", "Position", and "Rotation". Select the animation you want to add and click on the keyframe icon (diamond shape) next to the animation option. Remember, you can add two (starting and ending points) or more keyframes in a single clip.
10. Now, you can adjust keyframes by clicking the diamond shape in the timeline for smooth animation. The timing and position of keyframes are crucial factors that ensure rhythm and flow in your animation.
11. Furthermore, enhance your video by incorporating background music, filters, transitions, text stickers, and more.
12. 

    

Step
13. Export and share

1. Once you are done with editing, click Export to customize the video or audio exporting settings. You can customize the resolution (480p, 720p, 1080p, 2K, or 4K), quality (lower, recommended, higher and customized), frame rate (24fps, 25fps, 30fps, 50fps, and 60fps), and format (MP4 and MOV). Click the Export button to save the video. You can also run a copyright check before exporting the video.

Adjust the aspect ratio, choose a captivating video cover, set visibility preferences, and grant necessary permissions. Once done, simply click "Share" to seamlessly post your masterpiece directly to TikTok and YouTube from within the interface, without any hassle.



Conclusion

The CSS animation keyframe examples above have clarified the concept for you, and now you can confidently create keyframe animations in CSS. However, if you find it challenging, consider opting for a CapCut video editor. It not only boasts user-friendly features but is also packed with multiple tools to make your animations unique and professional without compromising quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between keyframe animation and transition in CSS?
2. In CSS, keyframe animations allow for complex sequences of movements with intermediate steps. At the same time, transitions facilitate a simple change from an initial to a final state with no intermediate steps, making them suitable for straightforward visual effects. However, you can create keyframe animation and transitions in the CapCut video editor, which is a relatively easy process compared to CSS.
3. How do I add a dynamic keyframe in CSS?
4. To add a dynamic keyframe in CSS, define @keyframes with specific percentages for intermediate steps and apply it using the animation property, specifying the keyframe name and duration. This lets you create dynamic and customized animate keyframes in CSS. You can use the CapCut video editor if this process is challenging.
5. How do I add a keyframe to an object?

In the CapCut video editor, you can easily add keyframes to any object. Navigate to the "Basic" option in the right side toolbar and select the animation, such as opacity, position, scale, rotate, and then add a keyframe.